Our Story

What sets AdminBase apart?

AdminBase has become a sophisticated double glazing tool which is now recognised as the industry standard and has thousands of users throughout the UK.

If you are looking for a way to manage your business better and feel in control of your back office, our CRM software is the perfect solution. It is a complete system for companies that are looking to manage their sales processes, customer data and contract fulfilment process with ease! Our software is suitable for a small company with one installation team and equally for a large national company and it is ideal for canvassers, sales representatives, surveyors, fitters and service engineers!

Once you start using AdminBase, it can be completely tailored to each aspect of your business!

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Our Company History

Our company name, Ab Initio, Latin for ‘from the beginning’, is an appropriate choice as its founder and Company Director, Rhonda Ridge, has been involved in software development and computer technology since the very early days of the PC.

Ab Initio Software had its small beginning back in 1991. Rhonda was working for a family run Double Glazing Installer. Most records were kept manually and there was no software package suitable within the industry that could manage the process from Lead through Sale to Service Call. So Rhonda developed AdminBase, and within a couple of years it had developed to such an extent that she was able to offer it to others as a software system for other window companies.

Since then, Ab Initio have made it a policy to listen to their customers requests for additions to the software to the end that AdminBase has become a sophisticated management tool which is generally now recognised as the industry standard and has thousands of users throughout the UK and Ireland, from one-man bands to major manufacturers.

Our Team

Rhonda Ridge
Rhonda
Founder, Director

As founder of Ab Initio, Rhonda, has been involved in software development and computer technology since the very early days of the PC.

Prior to developing AdminBase Rhonda came from an accountancy background having worked in large banking and insurance companies as well as small family run firms. She then worked as a financial controller for a double glazing company which is where her experience to begin developing AdminBase stems.

Outside work time Rhonda enjoys travel, dancing and fine dining

Roy
Sales and Training Manager

Roy has worked in the Double Glazing Industry for decades before joining Ab Initio. His insight into the running of a home improvement company has proven invaluable in understanding the unique challenges of these companies.

The point of contact for companies wishing to implement AdminBase, Roy demonstrates the software to potential users. He is also responsible for the provision of advanced training for established customers.

Richard
Richard
Developer

Richard is a very experienced and valuable member of the AdminBase development team, much of Richard's work is based on incorporating our customers specific requests into Adminbase.

This involves using Delphi as well as other technologies, often required in the production of Adminbase 'add-on' modules. These include XML, Javascript, VBScript, HTML, TAPI etc which are used for web lead integration, SMS functionality, FENSA exporting, syncing with Google diary to name just a few.

Outside work Richards interests are walking, travel and photography.

Darren
Support Manager

Darren joined Ab Initio in 2002 having had many years of experience in supporting customers in the use of various software packages.

His work includes post-installation customer support including problem resolution, and custom report creation and modification.

Outside of work, when the days are long he is a keen vegetable gardener and when the nights are long he takes photographs of the night sky.

Caleb Ridge
Caleb
Support Technician

Caleb is part of the AdminBase support team. He looks after all new customer web setups of AdminBase as well as our many thousands of users that use AdminBase on their own servers and ours.

He also assists with report designing and answering functionality queries on AdminBase.

Outside of work, Caleb is a keen musician.

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Aimee
Data Technician

Aimee is our Data Technician and helps build the Sale, Survey, Service and Install apps.

She loves working in the software industry and enjoys learning new technologies along with helping customers get the best from the AdminBase apps.

Her hobbies outside of work include making music and gaming

Tom
Developer

Tom has over a decade of full stack web development experience, as well as app and desktop applications. He has architected and built many different solutions including a real time web based vehicle tracking solution.

At Ab Initio, he architects and develops web based API’s, mobile apps and work on existing systems to supplement development resource.

In his spare time, he enjoys motorsport, learning new skills and spending time outdoors.

Noah
Noah
Developer

Noah is part of our development team. He specialises in interface design and is responsible for the development of our AdminBase Campaigns software which is a marketing add-on for AdminBase.

He also assists with AdminBase development.

In his spare time, he enjoys oil painting and playing the guitar.

Ben
Ben
Account Manager

Ben has worked at Ab Initio Software since 2018 after moving over from an accounts background. As our Account manager he is responsible for keeping in touch with our customers and helping them get the best from AdminBase as well as co-ordinating our customer communications to make sure our customers know about new features in AdminBase. He also provides on board training for new users of Adminbase.

His hobbies include travelling videography and has spent the last 6 years learning Mandarin Chinese.

Imogen
Imogen
Administrator

Imogen joined Ab Initio in 2018, she has a background in customer service. She is the first point of contact for customers her work includes general admin duties, dealing with calls, setting up direct debits, booking appointments and designing images for our apps.

Outside of work, Imogen enjoys the gym, playing sport especially football and socialising.

Our Reviews

Ian Chester
Yorkshire Windows

AdminBase has been a fantastic addition to our business. The current COVID situation has also proved to us the value of the software.
Our team are now working from home using the cloud version as if they were sat in the office.
The scheduling of appointments, both for the sales and installation teams is now all in one place and the efficiencies we are getting are beyond our initial expectations!
Coupled with the ability we now have to give our customers up to date and timely information and the level of support offered we would most definitely recommend using this software.

Susan Roden
Mitchell Glass

The longer we use Adminbase, the more we are getting out of it. All information relating to a customer is in one place and this aids communication and makes retrieving plans or purchase orders very simple. Staff are encouraged to add to the notes at each contact with a customer which has helped enormously with our customer satisfactiont. The vital task of Job Costing is simplified and using the diaries makes controlling all installations including subcontractors seamless.

Peter Wheeler
SEHBAC

We use the dashboard and automated notifications in AdminBase throughout our business. We have receive fantastic feedback from our customers, the constant updates makes them feel  relaxed taking away the worry when engaging companies in our industry,  they feel we are in total control of the project. We have seen a massive drop in phone calls to us chasing progress, allowing us to operate with less administrators, so it pays for itself. If you are serious about customer service ...then this system will provide you with a huge advantage over the competition.

Steve Taylor
Horsford Window & Conservatory Company Limited

Adminbase has transformed the way we work as a company completely for the better. The information is always at hand. Customer service is absolutely superb and is never too much and always dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible. Reports have revolutionised how we work. Thank you for the service you provide.

James Stuart
Abbey Windows

Adminbase is an integral part of our business. Unlike other providers, the team at Ab Initio have industry experience which results in a package that is packed with features that help improve efficiency and customer service delivery. The software is regularly updated and Ab Initio listens to it's users to drive the features that our business needs.

Steve Savage
Frames Conservatories Direct Ltd

As a data driven business, AdminBase has allowed us to view hidden insight into our business, it has given us the medium to apply controls where they are needed and freedom where they are not. I’m sure when I’ve called up for support, the team look at the phone number and wonder what on earth is he going to ask now? But they have never failed to answer my queries and have gone above and beyond to help us implement AdminBase deep into our processes which helps us understand our business better.

Solutions For Your Company

Our home improvement business solutions have been designed to completely eliminate paper, duplication and human error. With the industry more competitive than ever before, looking after your business processes efficiently is becoming more and more important. Every element of AdminBase has been designed to improve efficiency and customer service, helping take the stress out of day-to-day tasks and improving the way you interact with your customers.

Our software is constantly evolving and we regularly make updates based on user feedback and the needs of the industry. Recently, we launched a web-based version of AdminBase, making staying on top of your business easier than ever before. With unlimited storage space and easy accessibility from any device, there has never been a better time to move your company forward with AdminBase. Find out more today with a free demo or give us a call on 01283 551005.